LOYALTY IN SOCIETY
Loyalty
refers to the quality of being faithful to one's commitment in life. In other
word loyalty means a strong feeling one has in support of another or something.
Loyalty
demands one to be truthful devoted and to have the love and the obligation to
obey that state of allegiance where one is showing their commitment.
Types of Loyalty
There
are various types of loyalty. This depends on the individual and the dimension
of life such as family or clans, clubs, marriages and nations. Loyalty may
therefore fall under the following categories.
1. Divine Loyalty
This
refers to the commitment one has towards his or her religion. In other words,
it is the commitment one has in seeking for the understanding of God through
the different beliefs such as Christianity, Islam and others.
2.
Cultural Loyalty
This
is one's commitment to his or her cultural values and norms. Being obedient to
a given way of life in a given society shows this kind of commitment. It
depends on the clan, language, customs and the tribe.
3. Social Loyalty
This
is a commitment one has to his or her responsibilities in life. It may be work,
leisure and education among others.
4. Group Loyalty
This
is one's commitment to a given group of people having the same interests for
the benefits of all such as parents and their children to families, leaders to
their subjects and others. It concerns the life of an individual in relation to
another.
5.
Personal Loyalty
This
is one's commitment to another for peaceful and harmonious living. Such a
commitment and faithfulness may include husband and wife, parents and children
and others.
Loyalty in the present situation
The
concept of loyalty today does not differ much from what it used to be in the
traditional African society. People have commitments and act upon them for
different purposes depending on their needs. Loyalty is therefore being
expressed in different ways including the following.
People
today are loyal to their different religions. This is done in search for a
deeper understanding of God through constant prayers, repentance and bible
study among others.
Parents
today are showing loyalty to their children. They provide them with the basic
needs such as food, shelter and education among others.
3.
Different individuals are committed to their jobs. They serve the community in
different ways as teachers, doctors, engineers, nurses, lawyers and others.
4.
Children also express loyalties to their parents. They respect, love, listen
and support them in any possible way like cooking food, buying food, clothes,
cleaning the compound and others.
People
are committed to formal education. Many schools, colleges and Universities are
being opened with many people joining them. This is in search of enough skills
and knowledge and a way of fighting illiteracy in the society.
Up
to date, people are still loyal to their cultures. They respect and observe the
customs, norms and the rituals. These cultural aspects are a way of creating
the sense of belonging and identity.
Quite
a great number of people are loyal to leisure activities such as playing and
watching football, net, ball, attending parties, dancing and others. These
activities are important in refreshing one's mind and creating good
relationships among people.
People
today are loyal to their leaders. They respect and follow their leadership
obediently. Such leaders may include the President, chiefs, kings, local
councils and others.
Some
couples are loyal to their marriages. They love, respect and accept their
status as husbands and wives as a way of keeping their marital vows.
DISLOYALTIES IN UGANDA TODAY
Disloyalty
refers to a situation where an individual fails to give support to his or her
friends, family or country. In such a case one is not committed and is
unfaithful to the welfare of others. Such cases include the following.
There
is an increasing level of corruption today. This is disloyalty because the
individual uses public facilities for his or her gains living the rest of the
population to suffer.
Some
married couples are disloyal by engaging in adultery. This is lack of
faithfulness and commitment to the marital vows, which are against the couples
having sexual intercourse outside the marriage circle.
Some
youth despise their cultures. They argue that such cultures are out dated in
preference for the Western cultures. This has left most youth out of touch with
their true identities.
The
various cases of mob justice are a disloyalty. The victims of mob justice are
at times punished innocently. There is also lack of commitment in following the
right course in the judicial system.
Rape
is also a disloyalty common today. In such cases, the consent of the victim is
not sought, but one chooses to use force in order to achieve sexual
satisfaction.
Abortion
is another example of disloyalty today. In such a case, the expectant mother
deliberately removes the unborn child from the womb before it is capable of
independent living. This denies such a child the right to live. It is also a
sin before God.
Some parents have always been disloyal to
their children by abusing their rights. Children under this category are denied
education, medical care, and clothing and at times-subjected to child labour.
This affects the growth of children negatively.
Defilement
is an example of disloyalty. This is disrespectful to the victim who is not yet
ready for sexual intercourse.
The
oppression and exploitation of women today shows lack of commitment in life.
Women are continuously beaten, divorced, looked at as sex objects and are
subjected to all) sorts of tortures. This is a failure to recognize that all
human beings are created in God's image and therefore equal.
Some
individuals are disloyal by carrying out strikes as a way of solving
disagreement. These strikes common in institutions and different premises of
work indicate that such individuals are not faithful to the rules and regulations
governing them.
11.
Carrying out arbitrary arrest is an example of disloyalty in life. In such a
case, the victim may be detained without having committed any crime. This is
therefore lack of commitment in serving others.
CONFLICTING LOYALTY
Conflicting
loyalty refers to a situation where an individual is faced with two or more
contrasting areas of where to show commitment. This makes it difficult for one
to make a choice in the process of showing loyalty. For Christians, such
conflicts in loyalty may include the following.
Loyalty
to one's Job besides God. Man is always pre - occupied with work because of the
need for survival. But a Christian should also spare some time for God.
It
is difficult to pay loyalty to God in times of difficulties or tragedies such
as death, earthquakes, accidents, and wars. In such cases, Christians tend to
question whether God is for them or against them.
A
Christian would face conflicting loyalty when it comes to choosing between his
or her families and the public service. Some jobs which are highly paid keeps
the parents away from home and yet the children need parental guidance.
A
Christian judge would face conflicting loyalty when it comes to passing a death
sentence. As a Christian, no one is to pronounce judgment on the other arid yet
he or she should execute the duty if he or she is to abide by the country's
laws.
African
Christian couples face conflicting loyalty in case of childlessness in
marriage. For each partner, it becomes difficult to choose between being loyal
to the marriage vows or doing without being able to get children.
African
Christians also face conflicting loyalty in reconciling the cultural rituals
and the Christian faith. It is important for Africans to observe these rituals
representing their origins, but at the same time observe the Christian faith
that unfortunately do not agree with each other.
Christians
face conflict in loyalty when someone has caused pain to him or her or their
relatives. In this case, it becomes difficult for a Christian to choose between
revenge and forgiveness.
Christians
can also experience conflict in loyalty when looking for jobs, which are
nowadays associated with bribery, witchcraft and sexual exchange. In such a
case, a Christian is to choose to remain loyal to God or being jobless.
Christians
of nowadays are facing conflict in loyalty whether to engage in political
activities fully or concentrate on the' pastoral service only. In politics,
there are injustices which demand the Christians to condemn, but such
activities are again divisive in nature.
Christians
working under corrupt bosses are always faced with conflict in loyalty. In such
a case, a Christian must choose between doing what he or she is told by the
boss like telling lies, such that he or she retains the job or to remain loyal
to God and losses the job.
Some
Christians because of their academic knowledge and technology question the
existence of God. Such a Christian feels that he or she is capable of answering
questions that defeat others and therefore sees no need for God. At the same
time, some forces of nature including death and others may defeat him or her.
Causes of Conflicting Loyalty
A
number of factors are responsible for the existing cases of conflict in loyalty
today. In such cases, one is caught up between two or more contrasting and
interesting aspects of life occurring at the same time with each the good and
the bad sides. This makes it difficult for an individual to take a stand
because of the fear of losing on the other side. The causes of such conflict in
loyalty include the following.
Some
loyalties today require a lot more time than the others. For example, parents
working in public offices are always busy from morning to sun set because they
need the money to sustain the family: This is done at the expense of the family
members who are not attended to. This makes it difficult for one to divide time
equally.
There
are too many areas that call for people's loyalty today. This may include one's
culture, family, job, leisure or religion. To make it worse, such loyalties
call for one's attention almost at the same time. One is therefore placed in a
situation where he or she cannot make a proper choice.
Conflict
in loyalty is caused by the existence of African cultures besides western
cultures. Some consider African cultures as out dated, but others still
emphasize the need for observing them. This leaves an individual in a state of
confusion making it difficult for one to choose.
Bad
examples shown by the leaders are also causing conflicting loyalty. This may
include parents, priests or pastors and others. This is made worse when such
leaders behave contrary to their words. This ends up confusing the followers as
to which way to take.
Economic
hardships more especially poverty amidst the need for survival is also
responsible for conflict in loyalty today. One may be disloyal by engaging in
corruption, strikes, and robbery because one wants to survive. This means that
if one is to be loyal, one must suffer. If one were to be disloyal, one would
save himself or herself from suffering.
Too
much permissiveness is another factor causing conflict in loyalty. In this
case, having too much freedom of doing whatever one wants may make an individual
loose track and fail to comply with the various commitments.
The
existing generation gap today has ended up causing conflicting loyalty. This is
particularly true with the youth having the feeling that the ideas or ways of
life in the olden days are out dated and yet they have to follow them if they
are to show commitment to their elders.
The
influence of the peers can also cause conflict in loyalty. This is especially
true in cases where the group mates give advice which is different from what is
required by the rest of the community. In such a case, one is confused as to
whether to follow the ideas of the peers or remain loyal to the demands of the
community and loses the company of his or her peers.
Being
in contact with different people who have different ideas or views in-life
causes conflicting loyalty. The various ideas may confuse an individual to a
point where he or she can fail to take side.
The
modern education is also causing conflicting loyalty. The education is creating
social class of the literates and the illiterates. The education system also
tends to detach people from the reality on ground. This contributes to the
failure of people to show faithfulness to one another.
11. Conflicting loyalty is being brought by the
different goals and visions people have in life.
For
example, a parent who is a doctor may force his or her child to take science
subjects, yet such a child has the vision of becoming a lawyer. This ends up
confusing the child who must obey the parent at the expense of his or her
ambition.
Lack
of religious morals or teachings is another factor responsible for conflicting
loyalty. Religious teachings such as patience, hope, prayers, calmness, and
respect for one self and others are not always put into practice. Because of
this, people tend to lose their senses and fail to act on their various
commitments in life.
Solutions to conflicting loyalty
The
conflicts in oneself created by different disloyalties in life can be solved in
the following ways:
•
One should have
respect for oneself, others and above all respect for the society values.
•
One should seek and
accept advice from other members of the community.
•
A person should be
guided by a well-informed and. developed conscience that is based on values and
principles
•
One should first be
faithful to oneself so as to avoid getting confused.
•
One should go for
counselling and guidance such that he or she is given a sense of direction.
•
One should constantly
pray to God with God everything is possible
•
One should be patient
in life. This puts one in a position of accepting things as they are.
•
One should have the
spirit of tolerance or perseverance in dealing with any situations.
•
One should obey his
or her self-conscious and stick to what he or she believes is right.
•
On should control his
or her speeches while relating with others. This helps in avoiding making
statements that are contradictory.
•
One should have the
heart of forgiveness. Even if some wrong had been done onto him or her, one
must be able to reconcile.
African Traditional Attitude to Loyalty
1.
Loyalty in traditional Africa meant having a sense of duty, being eager and
ready to defend one's community. Each individual was expected to respond
positively and fulfill his or her legal duties.
2.
Loyalty to the traditional Africans meant being faithful, trust worthy and
dependable. This was reflected in the communal way where each individual had to
rely on one another in the daily life activities.
3.
Loyalty in traditional Africa was understood as taking the side of another
member in a dispute even if it involved suffering and hardship. This meant that
even when one had committed an offence, he or she had to be supported through
revenging on the wrong done to him or her
4.
To the traditional Africans, loyalty meant sharing all the obligations (moral
or legal duty to do something) and privileges of the group. They had to help
one another in an effort to realize peaceful living.
5.
Loyalty in traditional Africa was used in the context of one's group like the family,
clan or a wider community. Individuals had to show total submission,
faithfulness and commitment to all the affairs of the group without fear.
6.
Loyalty in African traditional was understood as having respect for one's
leaders. Leaders were regarded to be God's representatives on earth. This
demanded their absolute loyalty.
7. Loyalty in traditional Africa meant keeping
an agreement such as a blood pact. Breaking an oath (or agreement) was a taboo
and was highly punishable. Therefore, all members had to keep such agreements
as a sign of showing commitment in life.
8.
In traditional Africa, loyalty was working for the good or for the benefit of
the community.
Individualism
was discouraged and each member had to contribute towards the welfare of all.
9.
In traditional Africa, loyalty meant promoting one's cultural values. Cultures
reflected the identity of the society to which one belonged. It was therefore
the duty of each individual to show commitment to the existing cultures. This
was aimed at creating the sense of belonging.
10.
Loyalty in African traditional society was understood as giving respect to
religious values and the spirits of the dead. This was considered a direct way
of seeking blessings.
How loyalty was shown in African traditional
society
l.
Traditional Africans were loyal to their leaders such as Kings, chiefs, clan
leaders and others. Leadership was linked to the existence of God and the
leaders were considered God’s representation
2.
Traditional Africans were loyal to sacred places like mountains, forests and
rocks among others. They offered sacrifices in such places either to thank or
seek blessings from God.
3.
The traditional Africans were loyal to sacred object such as' beads, stones,
bones, herbs, royal drums and stools. Such objects were believed to provide
protection and guidance more especially during difficulties like wars, famine,
sickness etc.
4.
The traditional Africans showed loyalty to the spirits of the living dead who were
considered nearer to God. They offered sacrifices and even named places and
children after them.
5.
The traditional Africans showed loyalty to friendship more especially blood
brother hood.
Each
member in such friendship was meant to defend one another at all times.
6.
Loyalty in African traditional society was shown to the supreme God and gods.
They believed that these divine beings were behind the existence of everything
in the universe. Therefore, they had to be loyal to them by praying, offering sacrifices
and building shrines among others
7.
The traditional Africans showed loyalty to marriage relationship. Marriage was
a compulsory social aspect of life. Each member of the community to fulfill this
obligation as sign of commitment.
8.
The traditional Africans were loyal to religious leaders such as diviners, rainmakers
and fortunetellers. Such individuals were; regarded to be the light of the
society because of having super natural powers and their services to society.
9.
The traditional Africans were loyal to parenthood. All married partners had the
responsibility of producing and raising children in a way accepted in the
community.
10.
The traditional Africans showed loyalty to customs and norms of the society.
This created the spirit of togetherness and guided them in relating to one
another.
11. Loyalty in traditional Africa was shown to
informal education. Every member participated in the upbringing of children.
Because of this collective responsibility, discipline was highly maintained
12. The traditional Africans constantly prayed and
worshipped God or gods in showing loyalty. This formed the basis of their lives
in thanking and seeking blessings.
Importance of Loyalty in African
Traditional Society
Loyalty in traditional Africa created unity and a strong
sense of belonging. This was because all members in the community were bound to
specific cultures or way of life.
Loyalty in traditional Africa discouraged individualism.
All resources were owned communally for the benefits of all. This provided
solution to problems such as famine and stealing among others.
Loyalty in traditional Africa promoted peace and harmony. This was because each
member observed and preserved the customs and norms of the community. This
ruled out misunderstandings among the members.
Loyalty guaranteed security against threats or attacks on one member by
another. This was because each member had to defend another even when one was'
wrong.
Loyalty in traditional Africa helped to preserve the cultural set up.
Disloyalty to the community's affairs was highly punishable. Each member
therefore showed loyalty to the existing, cultures.
Loyalty promoted easy running of the community's affairs. This was because all
members were faithful and obedient to the set norms.
Loyalty helped to promote the moral behaviour of the traditional Africans. Any member
misbehaving could easily be ex-communicated or disowned by the society. This
made all the members to strive towards loyalty.
Loyalty ensured stability in traditional Africa. This was made possible by each
member defending a personal loyalty to parent, husband, wife, children, blood
pact and relatives.
Loyalty prevented unnecessary competition among the traditional Africans.
Members lived as a group and shared the basic needs of life in almost an equal
proportion.
Loyalty created a strong sense of justice in African traditional society. Their
faithfulness and devotion made them to respect one another in all ways.
Loyalty in the Early Church
Christians
in the early history of the church had to be loyal to the government of the
Roman Empire and the' work Jesus Christ had started. This was because Christ
himself recognized the Roman authorities and because the Roman, government had
also created peace and constructed good roads, which made the work of the
apostles or disciples easier. The apostles (disciples) showed their loyalties
more especially after the Pentecost [the day the apostles received the Holy
Spirit as seen below.
The apostles were loyal to preaching the gospel that Christ had already
started. They preached with joy and courage in an effort to extend to the God
of kingdom.
The Christians were also loyal to prayers. They prayed for those governing them
and even for the work they were doing.
The early Christians showed loyalty to the rule of the Roman government. They
paid taxes promptly by following Jesus teaching –“give to Caesar what is
Caesar's and God what is God's. [Mark 12: 13-17]
Some Christians were committed to writing Christian literatures. For example,
the apostles like Paul and Mark wrote the New Testament explaining the life,
teachings of Christ and encouraged fellow Christians in their faith.
Christians showed loyalty-to God as their only father. They suffered
persecution and refused to sacrifice to the pagan gods of the Roman Empire
because of their loyalty to Christ and the oneness of God.
Some Christians carried out charitable work in showing loyalty. They helped the
needy such as the sick, widows, disabled and others with material things like
food and shelter.
Christians were also loyal to the practice of baptism. This was a symbolical
expression of one accepting Christ as their personal savior. This was done
following the instruction of Jesus of making all people children of God.
Some Christians carried out fellowship in showing loyalty. They could gather
together, share their experiences and encourage one another to remain firm in
their faith.
Other Christians were loyal to the missionary journeys. Christians such as St.
Paul and Titus moved to distant places while preaching the good news.
Some Christians performed miracles in showing loyalty. They healed the sick.
This made people believe in the reality of the gospel started by Christ.
Christians were also loyal to founding churches. They established permanent
structures to accommodate the ever-increasing number of Christian converts.
Other Christians were loyal to sharing their belongings with others. This was
an effort aimed at preventing the suffering of the people.
The Loyalty of the Uganda Martyrs
Uganda
recorded the idea of martyrdom beginning, with the killing of Muslims by the
Kabaka of Buganda for their failure to respect his authority. Ten years later
in 1886, a large group of Christians were executed on the order of Kabaka Mwanga
when they decided to obey God other than the rule of the Kabaka.
The
Uganda martyrs therefore expressed their loyalties in the following way.
The
Uganda martyrs' accepted to be baptized. This was the first step they took to
show that they were Committed in their newly acquired faith.
The
Uganda martyrs expressed loyalty by abandoning other gods and believing the one
true God. This meant that they had also disassociated themselves with their
cultures since it was the tradition to believe in many gods.
The
Uganda martyrs expressed loyalty by suffering to the point of giving their
lives for the sake of Christ. They allowed to be burnt without fear.
The
Uganda martyrs praised God at the time they were put to death. This was the
highest level of loyalty to the newly acquired faith.
The
Uganda martyrs expressed loyalty by leading prayerful lives. They prayed to God
help them in all situations and even prayed for those executing them.
The
Uganda martyrs showed loyalty by refusing to take the orders of the Kabaka.
They refused to engage in homosexuality as demanded by the Kabaka and even, refused
to abandon their Christian faith before they met their death.
The
Uganda martyrs showed loyalty by preaching the good news continuously despite
the oppositions from the traditionalists and the Muslims.
The
Uganda martyrs were loyal to helping the needy such as the poor, widows,
disabled and others. This was contrary to what used to be the case where such
people were under looked.
The
Uganda martyrs lived exemplary lives in showing their loyalty. This helped to
shape the behaviors of others who copied their examples.
The
Ugandan martyrs played great roles in establishing the catholic and protestant
church. They laid a strong foundation of the church, which later served many
devoted Christians.
The
Ugandan martyrs expressed loyalty by fellowshipping. They would gather together
and share their Christian experiences and encourage one another to remain
faithful to the new faith.
The Old Testament Teaching on Loyalty
As
already noted, loyalty means being faithful to what one considers important in
life. This may include families, schools, friends, churches, nations and
others. In other words, one has to be faithful to existing relationship and be
ready to devote oneself to the good of another. This should involve commitment
and giving oneself in support of the other.
In
the Old Testament, one should look at the relationship between God and the
Israelites in order to understand the concept of loyalty, For the Israelites,
loyalty meant being faithful to God and to each other. The covenant
relationship was the basis of living with God and among them.
God's loyalty to the Israelites
The
call of Abraham was God's loyalty to the Israelites. It was through this call
that Israelites became the chosen nation. God even signed an agreement with
Abraham, guided arid protected him in the course establishing Israel as a holy
nation. (Genesis 12 - 15).
God
showed his loyalty to the Israelites through the call of Moses. In this call,
God commanded Moses to go and liberate the Israelites from their suffering
under the Egyptian slavery (Exodus 3: 16 - 17). This was also a fulfillment of
the promises made to Abraham -Israel's grandfather (Genesis 12).
God
showed his loyalty to the Israelites through the pass over event. This was a
new initiative on the part of Yahweh to show the Israelites that he loved them
and had their welfare at heart. God killed all the Egyptians first born babies
and spared the Israelites children. This made the pharaoh to release the
Israelites and ended their term of suffering (Exodus 12: 1 ff)
God
showed his loyalty by providing food in the form of water, manna and quails to
the Israelites. This happened as the Israelites moved to the Promised Land
through the wilderness. (Exodus 16: 4 ff, 17: 1-7).
God
demonstrated his loyalty to the Israelites at the crossing of the Red sea. He
divided the Red sea into two parts and allowed the Israelites to pass through,
but the Egyptians were drowned as they pursued (Exodus 14: 1 ff).
In
his loyalty to the Israelites, God signed a covenant at the foot of Mt. Sinai.
In this agreement, God gave the Israelites laws to guide them and promised to
remain their father if they would be obedient. (Exodus 19: 1 ff and 20 - 23).
God
demonstrated his loyalty by giving victories to the Israelites over hostile
tribes and nations. This included the Canaanites; Amalekites, Amorites,
Jebusites and others (Exodus 17: 8 ff and Deuteronomy 7: 1 ff).
God
gave the Israelites kings as their physical leaders as a way of expressing His
loyalty. The kings like Saul, David and Solomon were to rule on behalf of God.
(1 Samuel 8:1 ff).
Related
to the above, God punished the Kings who were misleading the Israelites. For
example, God rejected King Saul for committing crimes against the Israelites. (1
Samuel 15:10 ff). God also punished King Solomon for worshiping idols and
influencing the Israelites to do the same. (1 Kings 11: 9 - 11).
God
demonstrated his loyalty by sending prophets to guide the Israelites against
sinning. These prophets like Jeremiah, Amos and Isaiah helped the Israelites to
understand the true meaning of commitment to God. (Jeremiah 7: 1-11 and Micah
6:6-8
In
His loyalty, God promised the Israelites the messiah through the line of King
David. This was intended to bring salvation to mankind. (Isaiah 9: 6ff, II:
1-12, and 2 Samuel 7:12-16). This was later fulfilled through the birth of
Jesus Christ. [Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-11)
God
expressed his loyalty by giving King Solomon great wisdom with which he ruled
the Israelites. This was after the predecessors such as Saul and David had
already blundered by mistreating the Israelites (1 kings 4:30).
How the Israelites Showed Loyalty to God
The
covenant relationship, which God had initiated and made with the Israelites,
demanded their total commitment. It was their obligation to maintain this
relationship if Yahweh was to remain their-father. The Israelites therefore
fulfilled this in the following ways.
The
Israelites circumcised their baby boys in expressing loyalty to God. This was
God's command to their grandfather Abraham to act as a physical sign of their
relationship for being chosen as the holy nation. (Genesis 17: 12). Following
the ritual of circumcision therefore signified their loyalty to the Abrahamic
covenant.
The
Israelites commemorated and respected the Pass over feast .They celebrated it
annually by and eating of lamb with bitter herbs and bread made without yeast.
This was done in commemoration of God's effort of their deliverance from the
Egyptian slavery (Leviticus 23:5-4 and Numbers 28:16 - 25).
The
Israelites through observing the Sabbath
expressed their loyalty to God. This was because-God in Exodus 31: 12 commanded
them to observe this day and keep it holy (Numbers 28:9-10).
The
Israelites offered sacrifices in showing their commitment to God. They
sacrificed male animals without defects and deformations such as lameness,
blindness, and injury or sickly as God had instructed them (Exodus 12:5).
The
Israelites followed the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) to show their loyalty to
God. Observing these laws, which were given to them through Moses, was an
obligation if they were to remain God's chosen people.
The
Israelites believed in one true God to express their loyalty. Much as this was
contained in the Ten Commandments, it had special emphasis as recorded in (Deuteronomy
8: 13).
The
Israelites obeyed the kings appointed by God in trying to be loyal. The
appointment of kings such as Saul and David had followed their demand for a
physical ruler. Since God responded positively, the Israelites also submitted
themselves to the kings.
The
Israelites respected religious leaders such as priests, judges and prophets
including Moses, Joshua, Eli, and Nathan respectively. It was God who appointed
these leaders. Therefore, it was obligatory for the Israelites to respect them
since they were representing God.
The
Israelites made pilgrimages to express their loyalties to God. They visited
sacred (holy) places annually like the Jerusalem temple where they prayed and
offered sacrifices.
The
Israelites also fasted as a physical expression of their loyalty to God. They dedicated
themselves to God by doing without worldly pleasures such as food and sexual
intercourse for an agreed period of time.
The
Israelites renewed their covenant with God while at Shechem. This was conducted
on every tenth day of the seventh month. On this day, they gathered in sacred
places and repented their sins by offering sacrifices.
The
Israelites observed the feast of tabernacles to express loyalty to God. This
was conducted on the fifteenth day. On this day, the Israelites celebrated
after gathering the crops of the land. It was done in thanking God for His
provisions like the Canaan land, good harvest etc. (Leviticus 23:29).
The
good leadership of some rulers among the Israelites indicated their loyalty to
God. Moses, Joshua and King David were outstanding leaders who led the chosen
people as God had commanded. In Deuteronomy 17: 18-20, no one was above the law
and in Exodus 22: 21 - 27, no one was to be oppressed or exploited.
How the Israelites showed disloyalty to god
The
whole history of the Israelites was a continuous struggle to understand the
true meaning of commitment (loyalty) to God and persons. Quite often, the
Israelites were tempted to, turn away from Yahweh to serve other gods. Many
even thought that loyalty meant only keeping the letter of the law without
caring for others. This was a failure in their relationship as seen below.
The Israelites
complained to Moses about their welfare like during the crossing of the Red Sea
and while in the wilderness about food. Even when they were thirsty and hungry,
it reflected their lack of faith in God. They had forgotten that the very God
that had delivered them from the Egyptian slavery could still come to their
rescue. They simply needed prayer and patience, which they failed to do
(Exodus, 14: 1 ff, 15: 2 - 27, 17: 1-7).
Loyalty in the New Testament
According
the New Testament, loyalty means a personal commitment to God and His people
through His son Jesus Christ. He is presented as the new covenant that united
man in fellowship with the Father (God) and each other. In doing this, Jesus
remained loyal to the will of God who had sent him to bring salvation to the
people and the people he was serving
Jesus' Loyalty in Serving the Will of God
1.
Jesus accepted to be born as a human being (John 1: 1-5). Jesus was with God
and God was with Him, but He became a human being so as to fulfill the Father's
will of bringing salvation to man kind.
2. Jesus accepted to be baptized. Although he
was not a sinner, he humbled himself and joined other sinners to take a
requirement necessary to build the kingdom of God (Mark 1:9).
3.
Jesus also resisted the temptations he underwent through to demonstrate his
loyalty to God. He knew he was serving only the father's will and therefore
remained firm even when he was tempted
during difficult situation such as changing the stone into bread after spending
forty days and nights without food. (Mathew 4:1- II, Mark 1: 12-13, Luke 4: 1
-13).
4.
Jesus demonstrated his loyalty to God by preaching the good news in spite of
the oppositions. He never gave up preaching even at the time he was' being
accused by the religious leaders who were looking for any slight mistake to
persecute him. He did not fear persecution because knew he had to bring people
closer to God (John 15: 1-2)
5. Jesus was loyal to God by giving himself to
be arrested. He had earlier known the plot of arresting hi m by Judas Iscariot
but allowed it to happen so as to fulfill God' swill of redeeming mankind from
the bondage of sins (Mark 14: 18 - 21,' 48 - 49).
6.
Jesus demonstrated his loyalty to God by accepting to undergo severe suffering.
In Mark 14:34, Christ was over whelmed by sorrows. He was weak in body, but his
soul was willing to fulfill God's purpose of bringing salvation to mankind. He
even knew that there was more hardship ahead of him but did not give up.
7.
Christ showed loyalty by declaring himself publicly as the true Son of God who
had come to do the Father's will. This happened at the time when the Pharisees
were looking for any reason to kill him. In spite of this, he had no fear and
called himself the Son of God even when he appeared to be a blasphemy to the
Pharisees. (Luke 6: 1 - 5, John 5: 18 ff 8:28 - 29).
8.
Christ attacked the religious leaders for over emphasizing the observation of
petty laws that had led them to neglect the urgent needs of man (Mark
2:27,3:4). On this occasion, he made it clear that the Sabbath was made for man
but not man for it. He even condemned purification rites that restricted people
from doing their normal activities. (Mark 7: 1 7).
9.
Jesus also attacked traders in the temple to show his loyalty to God. On this
occasion, Jesus chased the traders away, over turned their tables and ordered
them to stop making his Father's house a market place; (John 2: 13 '- 30)
10.
Christ also showed-his loyalty to God by staying hungry while attending to the
people. He pointed out that man does not only live on bread alone but also on
the word of God (Mark 3:20 if, John 4:31 ft).
11. Christ performed many miracles to express
his loyalty to God. He healed the sick, raised the dead like the daughter of
Jairus (Mark 5:36 ff). All these miracles proved the reality of his preaching
that later on brought glory to the kingdom of God.
12.
Christ led a prayerful life to show his loyalty to God. In his prayers, he
recognized that nothing was above the authority of God (Mark 1:35).
13.
In his loyalty to God, Christ called upon his disciples to follow him and to be
ready to die for the sake of the heavenly kingdom. This was a call for building
and defending the kingdom of God (Mark 1: 16 - 20, Luke 9: 23 - 24).
14.
Christ showed his loyalty to God by putting the will of God first before the
demands of his family and self. He pointed out clearly that he had to be in his
father's house when his parents had been looking for him (Luke 2: 4ff, Mark 3:
34 -35).
Jesus' Loyalty in Serving Man
1.
Jesus reconciled man with God. He identified and gave himself as the right way
through which man could reach God (John 14: 1ff).
2.
Christ performed many miracles that redeemed people from their suffering.
Through his miracles, the lame walked the blind gained sight, the hungry fed
and others. This showed his genuine love for the people he was serving. (John
6: 1 if, Luke 13 : 6ff).
3.
Christ offered his life and died on the cross for the sins of man. It was
through his death that man finally achieved salvation. (Mark 15:21 - 32, John
19:17ff, Mathew 27: 32 - 44, Luke 23: 26 - 43)
4.
Christ showed loyalty to man by loving and forgiving his enemies. He prayed to
his father to forgive those who plotted for his arrest and crucifixion. He
pointed out that this was a fulfillment of what was written in the scripture,
(Luke 6:12 - 16, 23: 33 - 34).
5.
Christ uplifted the status of children. He mixed and played with them freely.
But this was not allowed in the Jewish cultures (Luke 18: 15 - 17).
6.
Christ also uplifted the status of women. Women were marginalized and
considered dirty and evil in the Jewish society. Christ recognized their rights
by accepting the woman's anointment and even appreciating the widow's offer of
a coin to the temple as being special (Mark 14:9 & Luke 10:39).
7.
In serving the needs of man, Christ explained the parables to his disciples who
had failed to understand. Despite the disciples being too slow to understand
him, he never got annoyed but gave them time necessary for-proper knowledge of
him and building the kingdom of God. (Mark 8: 21 ff).
8.
Christ showed his loyalty to serve the needs of man by calling himself a
servant. He emphasized that he had come to serve but not to be served (Mathew
20:26 - 28).
9.
To show his loyalty to the needs of man, Christ preached the good news
faithfully even when he was being opposed, He did not give up because he knew
it was the only way, through which man could achieve salvation. (Mark 3:5).
10.
Christ was obedient to the Jewish rule. For example, he supported the payment
of tax. He is quoted as saying "give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God
what is God's" (Mathew 22: 15 - 22, Mark 12: 13 - 17, Luke 20: 20 - 26).
11.
Christ lived a non-discriminative life. For example, he associated with the
Samaritan woman, even though the Jews and the Samaritans were enemies (John 4: 1
ff).
12.
Christ protected marriage relationship as a way of demonstrating his loyalty to
the needs of man. He condemned adultery, polygamy and divorce and referred to
them as poisons in marriage that could only ruin the relationship (Mathew 5:27 ff,
Mark 10: 1 ff).
The
Meaning of Loyalty for a Christian
1.
For a Christian, loyalty means loving God and neighbors as one self in doing
this, one must be committed and dedicated. Christ loved God and man to the
extent of giving his own life.
2.
To Christians, loyalty means being faithful to the call of God. One must have a
clear understanding of his or her role as a Christian to which he or she must
be committed to just as Christ did so.
3.
Loyalty to a Christian means being ready to serve others. Christ served others
by performing many miracles for the benefit of mankind. He even washed the feet
of his disciples. A Christian should therefore be a servant to others.
4.
Loyalty for a Christian means being ready to accept suffering just as Christ
suffered from torture, abuses and persecution during his ministry. (2
Corinthians 6:33 ff, Philippians
5.
Loyalty for a Christian means obeying the state unless the demands of the state
conflict with those of God. Christ encouraged the payment of tax when he said, “give
to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's” (Mark 12: 13 - 17).
6. Loyalty for a Christian means resisting
temptations in one's daily life. Christ resisted temptations and remained
faithful to the will of God.
7.
Loyalty for a Christian means being read to die for one's faith. Christ showed his
commitment .and did everything possible to the extent of dying.
8.
Loyalty for a Christian means acknowledging that all authority comes from God.
One should submit himself or herself to the authority when it means suffering
for righteousness (1 Peter 2: 13 ff and Romans 13: 1 -7).
9.
Loyalty for a Christian means serving all people equally without fear and discrimination.
This should be through the help of the Holy Spirit given to us through the
death and resurrection of Jesus.
10.
Loyalty for a Christian means forgiving one's enemies. Christ prayed to God to
forgive those who persecuted, betrayed and killed him. (Luke 23: 32 - 34).
Licensed under the Developing Nations 2.0
A complete talking Book for Uganda certificate of Education